|
Beverages to Use Mulling
Spices In
Apple cider
Cherry cider
Pear juice
Cranberry juice
Cran-raspberry juice
Orange juice
Apricot juice
Pineapple juice
Pomegranate juice
Mixture of above juices
Black tea
Red wine
Any of these make an excellent mulled beverage, however try
mixing several together for a delicious change of pace.
Best Method for Mulling
The easiest method for making a lot of a mulled beverage is to
make it in the crock pot. Any mulled drink can be made in the
crock pot, although it is especially important not to let wine
boil.
Simmer the mulled spices recipe of choice in four cups of the
drink you have chosen. If it is not sweetened, add up to ¾ of a
cup of brown sugar, maple sugar, honey or white sugar. Simmer for
three hours or more and serve hot.
If you are making your own muslin bags for the mulling spices use
organic cotton or muslin, and make sure that the string, or
ribbon, that you use for the drawstring is food grade. Also,
always get organic fruits, spices and herbal products when
possible.
Mulled spices are wonderful gifts, and make any wintry day seem
special.
...................
The word "mulled" simply means
heated and spiced. Many liquids can be mulled - mead, cider, and
of course wine. Mulled cider and wine is a traditional favorite in
cooler locations, and goes well with the various celebrations that
come around the end of the year.
Mulled wines have a long history. In medieval times these wines
were called Ypocras or Hipocris, named after the physician
Hippocrates. They were thought to be very healthy, and indeed,
with wine at the time being far more sanitary than water, these
heated drinks probably did keep people healthy through the cold
winters.
Moving forward to the 1500s, cookbooks listed methods of mulling "Clarrey",
or Bordeaux. Recipes involved honey, cinnamon, cardamom, galingale
and of course French wine. Mulled wine was a favorite in Victorian
England, and Negus - a type of mulled wine - was even served to
children at their birthday parties. Today, mulled wine is a staple
at many holiday parties.
Glögg is the Scandinavian form of mulled wine, similar to Glühwein
in German-speaking countries. Glühwein is usually prepared from
(not too expensive, sometimes outright cheap) red wine, which is
heated and spiced with cinnamon, clove, sugar, and other spices.
Almonds and raisins are often added. In Romania it is called vin
fiert ("boiled wine"), and can be made using either red or white
wine, sometimes adding peppercorn. In Moldova the izvar is made
from red wine withblack pepper and honey. Wassail is also a
similar mulled drink.
................
MULLING SPICE SHORTBREAD
COOKIES
1 cup melted butter
1 cup blue agave syrup (or honey)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Mulling Spice
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
Plastic wrap
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, agave, eggs and vanilla
together. In a spice or coffee grinder, grind Mulling Spice to a
coarse powder. Sift out any larger pieces and then whisk powder
into cream mixture. Slowly add flour and baking powder, stirring
constantly until completely blended. Divide dough into 4 equal
parts. Roll each section into a cylinder approximately 10 inches
in length. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate a minimum of 1 hour.
When ready, preheat oven to 350 degrees F;, slice dough into 1/4
inch rounds, place on cookie sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes or
until light golden on top. Makes 4 dozen cookies.
Makes 24 servings (2 cookies)
|
